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ST. GEORGE — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on a proposed project regarding the management and improvement of dispersed camping along the state Route 9 corridor west of Zion National Park.
Just as visitation at the park has increased in recent years — up 164% between 2013 and 2023 — so have incidents of dispersed camping on federal and state-managed land, to the point that people are camping in areas that are protected.
"This has led to significant environmental degradation, including soil compaction, vegetation loss, litter and human waste," according to the bureau's scoping document. "As tourism, recreation, and regional population continue to grow, the pressure on BLM lands for camping is expected to increase, intensifying the need for sustainable management solutions."
Dispersed camping is described as camping outside of designated campgrounds, usually on public lands, without amenities like restrooms or fire rings.
